USF Offers In-State JuCo Forward
During last week’s live evaluation period, as grassroots basketball tournaments such as the Nike Peach Jam, Under Armour Finals and adidas Gauntlet Championships, were attracting hundreds of Division I coaches, another event was being held on Florida’s Space Coast. One of those coaches was USF assistant Larry Dixon.
The JA45, hosted by JuCo Advocate at Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne, boasted 45 of the best JuCo basketball players from around the nation. Held on the first two days of the live period the event featured practice sessions the morning of the event’s first day followed by three afternoon games. Day two of the event featured three games but no practice sessions.
One of the standouts at the JA45 was long and bouncy forward DeAndre “Dre” Pinckney, who was offered by the Bulls on Wednesday. Since the JA45 Pinckney has also been offered by UNLV, Morgan State, Northern Kentucky and Ole Miss. All told, Pinckney currently holds 15 Division I offers.
“They’re all pretty much saying the same thing,” Pinckney said of the coaches recruiting him. “I’m a priority to them, they’re going to watch me play, and develop a relationship with me. They like that I’m a guy that can stretch the floor, dribble, shoot and pass.”
Showcase events, whether for high school or JuCo prospects, can sometimes be controlled by ball dominant guards. Something Pinckney experienced with a few of his teammates in the JA45.
“Some guys were being selfish but I still managed to try to do what I can do,” said Pinckney. “I’m a team guy and try to get everyone involved. I get that it was a showcase and there were coaches there and everybody was trying to show their skills but you can make yourself look bad if you ball hog and are selfish.”
A below the radar prospect who only received one offer from a Division II school while at Miami Carol City High School, Pinckney planned to attend a prep school in North Carolina after graduating in 2018. A chance introduction to Broward College head coach Anthony Anderson soon turned into a scholarship offer and Pinckney enrolled at Broward College.
Pinckney, who listed his size at 6-foot-8, 207 pounds and estimated his wingspan to be “about 7-foot-2 or 7-foot-3,” averaged 18.3 points – on 59.1 percent from the field – and 9.3 rebounds per game as a freshman at Broward College.
ASA College played Broward College three times last season. RunningTheBulls.com spoke with ASA College head coach Jean Dubuisson to get his thoughts on Pinckney.
‘He was a nightmare,” Dubuisson said. He had 39 (points) and 13 (rebounds) against us. He was 12 of 15 on field goals and 14 of 15 on free throws. He’s been murdering people ever since that game.”
Stay with RunningTheBulls.com for updates on DeAndre Pinckney.